Bridging the Gap: The Journey of RAKwireless and One Planet Education Network (OPEN) Towards Real-World IoT Learning
In a world where innovation and technology increasingly shape our lives, understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications has become an essential part of education. Recognizing this, RAKwireless and One Planet Education Network (OPEN) have partnered to launch an innovative IoT Education Kit, aiming to create a hands-on learning experience that brings students closer to real-world scenarios.
The roots of this exciting collaboration trace back to a common vision shared by two remarkable individuals. Ken Yu, the founder of RAKwireless, has been committed to simplifying IoT solutions. On the other side of the world, George Newman, the founder of OPEN, has dedicated his work to empowering students with practical and accessible education.
Ken observed that while the IoT industry was booming, many stores were selling IoT modules purely based on their functions. Although starter kits were available, they were often just a consolidation of modules without considering their real-world applications. He believed that the true potential of these modules could be unleashed if they were organized based on usage scenarios. This would make it simpler for users, whether they were aiming to build an industrial-related application, requiring communication interface modules, or an indoor location tracker, needing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.
Meanwhile, George was seeking ways to make learning IoT and STEM more effective and relatable for students. His extensive experience with tech teams proficient in IoT sensor construction and programming made him realize the importance of practical tools in teaching.
When Ken introduced his scenario-based approach to George, it resonated with him immediately, as OPEN was beginning to apply IoT in classrooms focusing on some key UN SDGs related to the environment - food security - sustainable agriculture, climate change monitoring research, and air quality monitoring.
They saw an opportunity to create a tool that would not only help students (at all educational levels) learn all about IoT by developing IoT sensors, but to also offer networking services to obtain data for a multitude of real world needs and purposes from our deployed sensors. The IoT Education Kit incorporates the Helium LoRaWAN network, providing students with an important aspect of IoT connectivity and communication.
Through our sensor development courses, introduction to data analytics courses, and related subject area applications students will not only acquire in-demand job skillsets, but get excited about solving real-world problems. Thus, the IoT Education Kit was born.
Explore the IoT Education Kit and its vast range of possibilities, visit RAK Store.
